Page 174 of Roberto

A speedball was a combination of an opioid and a stimulant. The classic version – heroin and cocaine – had been the result of many high-profile deaths over the decades. John Belushi and River Phoenix were two of the most famous.

Not only were speedballs dangerous, they created a high where the user became exceptionally reckless.

“If he’s going to do that, I don’t want him anywhere near my staff,” I said.

“That’s not up to you,” Han replied.

“The hell it isn’t.”

Han took a step forward and got right up in my face. “That man just invested $100 million with Mr. Lau. He wants to celebrate, so he gets whatever the fuck he wants. Understood?”

I gritted my teeth and went to the safe in my office for the drugs. I handed them over to Han, along with paraphernalia for the injection: a sterile needle still in its packaging, a lighter, a cord to tie off his arm, and a spoon.

While I was in my office, the Russian had apparently procured the services of one of my newest submissives, Kam. She was a tiny little thing, delicate and sweet-natured.

When I found out, I immediately told her, “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

“He offered me triple my normal rate,” Kam said happily.

I frowned. “For what, exactly?”

She looked uncomfortable. “If we… push the envelope a little.”

I didn’t like the sound of that atall.

“Kam – ”

“I’ll be careful. I promise.”

I hesitated. She had been a professional sub for three years in South Korea; she knew what she was doing.

…I hoped.

“I’ll be careful,” she repeated.

“Take a panic button with you,” I ordered.

We had tiny remotes that workers could keep concealed from clients. One press of the button would alert security to come rushing into the room in case things got out of hand –

Like if the customer became excessively violent.

I nervously watched Kam go into one of the rooms with the Russian, who carried the drug paraphernalia along with him.

Kam smiled and waved at me likeDon’t worry.

“Does your Russian know what he’s doing?” I asked Han.

“Of course he does.”

I frowned, then went back to my normal duties of running the club.

I didn’t know anything was wrong until I heard the screaming.

Twenty minutes later, one of my dominatrixes shrieked for help.

I came running, along with one of my security guards.

My stomach dropped when I saw the room the dominatrix was standing outside: the same one Kam and the Russian had entered.

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